Twist direction finder



May 29, 1951 c. s. w. BUCHANAN TWIST DIRECTION FINDER Filed March 21, 1946 HH. Wu nmfwP nmmlfl INVENTOR. CHARLEJ 5. W BUCHANAN Patented May 29, 1951 TWIST DIRECTION FINDER Charles S. W. Buchanan, Wilmington, Del., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 21, 1946, Serial N 0. 656,135

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and device for detecting the direction of twisting of continuously running strands.

In general, the method of the present invention comprises the application to the running strand as it proceeds directly to the twister of a rotatory element having a rough, or indented, or toothed periphery. The rotatable element is placed with its periphery in engagement with the running strand so that the direction of travel of the strand is generally transverse of the periphery. Depending upon the direction of twist being inserted into the individual filaments or fibers in the strand, the rotatable element will swing one way or the other upon its axis.

In the drawing, which is illustrative of the invention:

Figure l is a face view of a preferred device for accomplishing the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side view of the device,

Figure 3 illustrates the application of the device for performing the method of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a pictorial view looking somewhat downward in a plane at right angles to the direction of viewing in Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device comprises a rotatable element 2 mounted in a yoke 3 carried by a handle 4. Preferably, the element 2 is mounted so that it is perfectly balanced on its axis of rotation and so that the lightest possible turning force is capable of rotating the element 2 about its axis. As specifically shown, the yoke 3 contains two bearing members 5 which are adjustably threaded within the yoke. These bearings 5 have recesses adapted to receive the pointed bearing surfaces 5 of a shaft i projecting through the element 2. The periphery of the element 2 has transverse indentations in the form of regular teeth 8. Suitable indicia 9 may be provided on the face of the rotatable element to indicate what type of twist being inserted into the strand causes rotation in the direction observed.

While the invention is applicable to the detection of the direction of twist being inserted into any type of strand, such as yarns, multiply threads, or cords, whether comprising staple fiber or continuous filaments, Figure 3 illustrates the use of the device in detecting the twist imparted to a bundle of artificially produced filaments, such as of rayon, as they proceed from a godet or delivery roll 10 downward through a vertically reciprocating funnel guide ll into a rotating centrifugal pot l2 which collects the yarn in the form of a cake and twists, it during such collection. For this purpose, a rather fine-toothed rotatable element 2 is preferable, whereas for other purposes, such as detecting the ply twist in a continuously traveling cord, the individual yarns of which are of substantial size, a coarser tooth may be used.

Apparently, the operation of the device depends upon the rotatory vibration or ballooning in the length or portion of the yarn or strand which is receiving twist during the testing with the device. As is well known (see Fig. 1 of 2,195,934.), the twisting or ballooning commences at the lower outlet of the funnel II and is continued back to the point where the yarn leaves the godet wheel ID as shown in Fig. 4. The direction of rotation of the ballooning portion of the yarn is dependent on the direction of rotation of the twister, in this instance pot 12, so that the repeated frictional engagement of the ballooning yarn or strand against the periphery of the indented wheel 2 as shown in Fig. 4 rotates the wheel in a direction which depends on the twist being inserted.

The device may be applied for the purpose of detecting the direction of either yarn twist or ply twist being inserted. The indentations should run transverse of the periphery of the rotatable element and may be either regularly or irregularly spaced thereabout. The indentations resulting from merely roughening the periphery may be employed but to reduce the abrasive action upon the strand, it is preferable to have regular indentations formed with smooth contours; and their edges, such as the edges of teeth 8 in Figures 1 and 2, should be rounded ofi at the corners to reduce cutting action.

It is to be understood that changes and variations maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of detecting the direction of twist being imparted to a running strand by a twisting operation comprising placing a rotatable element having an indented periphery in a position with its periphery adjacent, and extending generally transversely of, a portion of the running strand which is receiving twist and ballooning in which position the indented periphery is engaged and rotated by the ballooning portion of the strand.

2. The method of detecting the direction of twist being imparted to a running strand by a twisting operation comprising placing a rotata 3 ble element having .a periphery provided with regularly spaced transverse indentations in a position with its periphery adjacent, and extending generally transversely of, a portion of the running strand which is receiving twist and 5 ballooning as it proceeds to the twister in which position the indented periphery is engaged and rotated by the ballooning portion of the strand.

CHARLES S. W. BUCHANAN.

REFERENCES CITED Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Arthur May 20, 1902 Woodcock Jan. 2, 1934 Somerville July 30, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Country 1 Date Great Britain Oct. 7, 1897 

